Monaco wins at Malaysia, 4th title of 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Juan Monaco collected his fourth ATP title of 2012 with a three-set victory Sunday over Julien Benneteau at the Malaysian Open.

Monaco had the only break in the third set in claiming a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 decision over Benneteau. Monaco won earlier this year in Chile, Houston and Hamburg, Germany. His other three ATP championships all came in 2007.

Benneteau fell to 0-7 in title matches but Sunday marked the fourth time he pushed his opponent to three sets before ending the runner-up.

Monaco took a seesaw first set, in which he needed three breaks to win, but Benneteau forced a third set with a pair of second-set break. He recorded the only break in the final set for the title.

Monaco's first-place check of $153,400 pushed his career winnings to nearly $5.5 million. Benneteau, settling for the runner-up prize of $80,815, has won almost $5 million over his 12-year professional career.